and he that believeth not the Son shall not | thee graciously, and to love thee freely. Resee life; but the wrath of God abideth on pair to the throne of the heavenly gracehim." Have you this meetness? What is You cannot spread your sorrows there in vain. it? Do you love holiness? Without this If tempted to despair, try his word. No one could you be happy in a holy place in a ever trusted, and was confounded. Cry, holy state? in holy company? in holy engage- Lord, I am oppressed; undertake for me." ments? in holy enjoyments? Is the Redeemer "Come," says the Reliever of every burden precious to your souls? and do you delight in -"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are him! Without this could you be happy, to heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” be for ever in his presence, and hearing for ever his praise? Could a man, without an ear or taste for music, be happy by being removed into a world of melody and harmony? Need you be told that happiness does not arise from the excellency of the object, but from its adaptation to our disposition? That nothing can make us happy but what relieves our wants? fulfils our desires? and satisfies our hope? Without holiness, therefore, no man can see the Lord. How absurd, then, is it to wish to leave this world for another before you are sure the exchange will be for your advantage! For your advantage it cannot be, if you die unpardoned and unrenewed. Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord. But out of Him, you are out of the city of refuge, and the avenger of blood is upon you. Out of Him, you are out of the Ark, and in the midst of the Deluge. No; the day of your death is not better than the day of your birth.-Whatever your privations, and losses, and distresses, here may be, they are only the beginnings of sorrow; and all you suffer from them is only as a drop to the ocean, compared with the damnation of hell.-And, once gone from time, there is no return. As the tree falleth so it lies. Instead, therefore, of wishing this only and all-important season ended, you should be thankful that it is prolonged, if it be continued, even in a vale of tears; and account that the longsuffering of God is your salvation: for he is not willing that any should perish. Remember, also, that these disappointments and sorrows, which make you so impatient, may prove the greatest blessing; and the valley of Achor be given you for a door of hope. For God does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men. He renders earth desolate to induce you to seek a better country. He strikes away every human prop, and puts failure and vexation into every worldly scheme, that you may turn from idols to the Supreme God, and say "What should I wait or wish for, then, "Now I forbid my carnal hope, My fond desires recall; I give my mortal interest up, The Athenian said, "I should have been lost, if I had not been lost." What made the prodigal think of home but want? Where did Manasseh find his father's God but in affliction? We often feel for those who have been reduced; and say, they have seen better days-But if in their prosperity they forgot God that made them, and lightly esteemed the Rock of their salvation; and in their adversity have thrown themselves into his arms -these, these are the best days they ever saw; and they will draw forth their praise for ever. This, my suffering friend, may be your case-and will be, if you seek unto God, and unto God commit your cause. He can, he will turn the shadow of death into the morning-and you shall join the multitude who are saying, IT IS GOOD FOR ME THAT I HAVE BEEN AFFLICTED. OCTOBER 2. "I will hear what God the Lord will speak.” Psalm lxxxv. 8. AND surely if He speaks, in whatever way he expresses himself, it becomes us to hear; and to hear immediately. Let us not therefore "be unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." There are four cases in which we should adopt this resolution. First. I will hear what God the Lord will speak as to doctrinal truth. If error were harmless, we should not be commanded to "buy the truth, and sell it not:" to "prove all things, and to hold fast that which is good." It is of unspeakable importance to have proper sentiments on all religious subjects. But concerning all these subjects different opinions prevail; and it is certain that all these opinions cannot be true. Hence persons are often perplexed, especially at the beginning of the Christian life. And what in this case are we to do? One cries, Lo! here is Christ; and another, Lo! there. Be it so. We are not left without witness. It would be sad and dangerous had we no rule to go by; no standard to which we could appeal. But we have such an advantage. And in things of moment it is plain and obvious. And it is accessible; it is in our possession; it is the testimony of God, recorded in the Scriptures. I will therefore make no system of divinity, drawn up by fallible creatures like myself, my Away, then, with every thought of despera-oracle; but enter at once the temple of Revetion. Say, "I will arise, and go unto my Father"-He is in sight, waiting to receive lation, and inquire there. I will call no man master upon earth-one is my master, even Christ; and all besides are only brethren. I need not ask what Arminius, or Calvin, speaks -they themselves are to be judged out of this Book; and what they deliver is no further binding upon me than as they can say, "Thus saith the Lord." "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." "I will hear what God the Lord will speak." In this inspired Volume I have the judgment of God himself upon every subject with which it is necessary for me to be acquainted. And I will go to it; not with a previous bias, but open to conviction: not to dictate, but to learn. I will not be influenced to embrace a doctrine, because it is easy of comprehension; or to reject it, because it is mysterious-It is infinitely reasonable to believe whatever God speaks; and my only concern is to ascertain what he has spoken. vidence. Nothing is more trying than what an old Divine calls, "a dumb affliction:" so that when we put our ear to it, we can seem to hear nothing, as to what it implies, or intends. Varying the metaphor a little, Job was in such a state of ignorance and perplexity: "Behold, go forward, but he is not there: and backward, but I cannot perceive him: on the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him." In such a condition, it affords relief to be able to add: "but he knoweth the way that I take." Yet duty requires that we should have some knowledge of it ourselves. A natural man is only concerned to escape from trouble: but the Christian is anxious to have it sanctified and improved. He is commanded to hear the rod. While God chastens, he teaches. I must therefore be in a learning frame of mind. I must say unto God, "Show me wherefore thou contendest with me"-"I will hear what, by this event, God the Lord will speak." Fourthly. I will hear what He will say, also, in answer to prayer. Here is a thing, I fear, generally disregarded. How many petitions are never thought of after they have been delivered! We knock at the door, and go away, and never even look back to see whether it be opened unto us. Can we expect that God will attend to those prayers which we contemn ourselves? Are such addresses any thing better than a mockery of the Supreme Being? Secondly. I will hear what God the Lord will speak, as to my movements in life. How ignorant and short-sighted are we! How liable to mistake! How incapable of distinguishing between appearances and realities; and of deciding what will be good or evil for us! Surely we have erred and suffered enough already, to convince us that "the way of man is not in himself." How much depends on one wrong step, as it regards our comfort, usefulness, and reputation! Even when the iniquity is pardoned, the natural consequences may be long left to operate. They often cannot be remedied; and so repentance is quartered upon the offender all his days. How frequently has this been ex- Let us therefore hear what he says in reply emplified in irreligious marriages; and changes to our requests. Is it not pleasing to know of residence and business, through fancy, that we are not forsaken nor forgotten of our pride, or avarice; or even good, but mistaken best Friend? To be able to rectify a gloomy motives! A Christian, therefore, should take conclusion? To reason from the past to the every step of importance-and what step future? And, like a beggar, to derive enmay not be important?-feeling a responsi-couragement from success? "For I said in bility that makes him tremble! and an anxiety my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: that urges him to seek counsel from above- nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my "I will hear what God the Lord will speak" supplications when I cried unto thee." "1 -and regulate my marches by the cloud. cried unto him with my mouth, and he was But while I wait upon God, I must also wait extolled with my tongue. If I regard iniquity for him and integrity and uprightness are to in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: but preserve me while I do so. For He tells me, verily God hath heard me; he hath attended that if a man sets up idols in his heart, and to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, comes to inquire of him; he will answer him, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor but according to his idols." And this is his mercy from me." "I love the Lord, bedone, not only by a penal influence; but by cause he hath heard my voice, and my supa natural effect: for every thing will be co-plications. Because he hath inclined his ear loured according to the passion through which unto me, therefore will I call upon him as I view it. If therefore I do not consult God long as I live." sincerely, it would be better for me not to do it at all: for it can only dishonour him, and delude myself. But if I go in simplicity, and say, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?""Let your moderation be known unto all men. I come within reach of the promise, "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Thirdly. I will hear what God the Lord will speak, as to the dispensations of his pro OCTOBER 3. The Lord is at hand."-Phil. iv. 5. -WHAT moderation? Moderation with regard to your appetites. Some make a god of their belly, and glory in their shame. Many indulge in eating and drinking, beyond the And how sad is demands of bodily refreshment, or the allow- | should need such motives. ances of health. Your moderation, with re- it that these motives, after all, should have gard to your passions. You are to be angry, so little influence over us! That we should and sin not. The sun must not go down upon be constantly reminded of such a Beingyour wrath. The fear, the joy, the love, the led back to the grace of his first cominggrief, allowable in themselves, may become and forward, to the glory of his second excessive in the degree.-Your moderation, coming-and think, and feel, and speak, with regard to the distinctions of life. These and act, and live as we.do! "So teach us are to differ from "the pride of life"-in ap- to number our days, that we may apply our parel, in furniture, in servants.-Your moder-hearts unto wisdom." OCTOBER 4. The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day."-Prov. iv. 18. WHAT does this fine image imply? What does it express? Solomon traces the resemblance between the path of the just and the rising light, in three articles. Each shines. Each shines more and more. Each shines more and more unto the perfect day. ation in professional pursuits, and the cares And what a reason is there to enforce this admonition!" The Lord is at hand." The word signifies nigh, either as to place or time. If we take it as to place-it refers to his presence-I am a God at hand, and not afar off He is about our path and our lying down, and is acquainted with all our ways. Thus he is always nigh to see and observe, to aid or oppose, to bless or to punish. -If we take it as to time-it refers to his coming "The coming of the Lord drawing near." This is true, not only as to the certainty of the event, and the confidence of faith; but as to his real approach. If the Lord was at hand when Paul wrote this Epistle, how much more since near two thousand years have rolled away! But he comes by death-And this, as to consequence, is the same to us, as his coming to judgment. And there is but a step between us and death. If a multitude of people were assembled together, and behaved tumultuously, and the king was coming along the road-"The king is at hand," would instantly reduce them to order and silence; and every eye would be turned towards him. If a number of criminals, forgetful of their condition, were improperly amusing themselves, or striving together; and a signal told them, the judge was entering the town to try them-what an effect would this instantly have upon their mind and their conduct! But what is your case? He is not only your Sovereign, but your Judge And "behold, the Judge STANDETH BEFORE THE DOOR!" How lamentable is it, that to enforce what is wise, and just, and good in itself, we The rising light shines. It is the very nature of it to do so. It thus shows itself, and renders other things visible: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Without this, the works of the field, and the human face divine, would be all a blank. But the shining of the light lays open their beauties, and fills us with admiration and praise. Thus the Christian's path breaks out of obscurity; the darkness is past; and the true light shineth. His religion is not only real, but apparent. And as it need not, and should not be hid; so it will not, and cannot be hid. Its operation will evince its existence. Its principles will display themselves in its practice. There will be the work of faith, and the labour of love, and the patience of hope, and the fruit of the Spirit. Pity will get into the eye. Meekness will smile in the features. The law of kindness will dwell upon the tongue. The hand, ready to communicate, will unawares slide into the pocket-They that were in darkness will show themselves; and, in a thousand ways, their light will shine before men. But the shining of the rising light is noble and glorious. It is one of the most splendid appearances in nature. The rising sun is a bridegroom coming out of his chamber. We hardly wonder the poor Heathen, in the absence of Revelation, should worship it. The lustre is often too powerful for the naked eye. And how was it with Moses, after communion with God? His face shone so that the Israelites could not steadfastly behold the glory of his countenance. He was not aware of it himself, till, seeing the people dazzled, he was obliged to take a veil. And the humility of the Christian may keep him from perceiving his own excellences; but others will take knowledge of them: and his profiting will appear unto all men. And nothing is so impressive and influential as the life of a Christian, when he walks | There is no enchantment or divination worthy of the vocation wherewith he is against them. In all opposition they shall called. It was not necessary for the first be more than conquerors. He who is the believers at Jerusalem to lay down rules, to author, shall also be the finisher of their exclude improper characters from their com- faith. They shall soon loose all their inmunion-Their purity, their dignity, their firmities. They shall emerge into perfect majesty, repelled them -"And of the rest knowledge, holiness, and joy-And "then durst no man join himself to them; but all shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the people magnified them." the kingdom of their Father. HE THAT HATH EARS TO HEAR LET HIM HEAR.” Yet the shining of the rising light is not mere lustre. It is a source of usefulness, as well as of admiration. It warms and enlivens. It fertilizes the gardens and the fields. It makes the valleys to stand thick with corn, and the little hills to rejoice on every side. And so Jesus went about doing good. And so Christians are blessings in all the places wherein they move. Let us make this image our model in our endeavours to serve our generation. The sun says nothing-It does good without noiseIt shines unasked, constantly, impartiallyIt rises on the evil, as well as on the goodSo may we be merciful. But the shining light shines more and more. So does the path of the just. His religion is a gradual and progressive thing. We therefore read of growing in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour. Of the Thessalonians, it is said, Their faith grew exceedingly; and the love of every one of them towards each other abounded. As far as we are stationary in our attainments, we are censured and condemned by the image. But to derive comfort from it, it is not necessary that we should be every thing at once. Nothing in nature reaches its perfection suddenly. The babe proceeds, by slow degrees, into the man. The blade precedes the full corn in the ear. not despise the day of small things. was the oak once, but an acorn? the dawn, to the noon? Let us What What is Who can help recalling the beautiful lines of Dr. Watts, which, though written for the infant mind, are worthy the perusal of angels? "How fine has the day been, how bright was the sun, "Just such is the Christian-his course he begins, But when he comes nearer to finish his race, OCTOBER 5. "Who is gone into heaven."-1 Peter iii. 22. MANY had gone there before. Abel was the first that entered; and 'tis encouraging to think, that the first victim of death was a partaker of glory. Human nature was found in heaven, before it was seen in hell. How long he was alone there we know not. But others soon followed: and our Saviour must have found there, a multitude which no man could number. But though many had gone into heaven before, none of them had gone in the same way and manner with himself. Others had entered without their bodies; but he had entered incarnately. Two had indeed entered embodied; but they did not take their bodies from the grave. Enoch and Elias died not, but were only changed. Jesus died, and was buried; and passed to glory from the tomb. Others entered heaven by mere favour, pre But the shining light shines more and more unto the perfect day. The allusion is not taken from a meteor, that blazes for a moment, and then disappears. Nor from the morning cloud and early dew, that soon passeth away but from the rising sun, that always attains its end, and completes what it begins-rising upwards-and shining-senting no claim from their worthiness and onwards-till it is day-perfect day. When did the sun ever make a dawn, and not carry it into full day? Who can drive him back, or stop his course? If it had enemies, and they cursed its beams, the rage would be as vain as it would be unreasonable" He rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof." So shall it be with all those who are set in motion for eternity by divine grace. "They that love him shall be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might." obedience: but he entered by merit-He deserved all the glory he obtained-It was no more than the reward of his doing and suffering. Others entered as private individuals; and their entering did not insure the entrance of others-not even of their friends and relations. Religion is a personal thing; and it could not be inferred, that because the busband or the father was glorified the wife or child would follow. But he entered as a public character, as the head and representative of his people: and because he lives, they shall live also. Hence says the Apostle, "He hath quickened us together with Christ, and raised us up, and made us sit together with | Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is him in the heavenly places." come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. Thus he considered his personal presence and agency far inferior to the dispensation of the Spirit. And yet some are looking for his bodily advent again, as if this was to effect what the Holy Ghost could not accomplish. What purpose is to be executed in the spread of the Gospel? or the conversion of souls or the glorification of the Church? to which the energy of the Spirit is not adequate? Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord.Were he here in his body he would be confined to one place at a time, and many would envy the honour of seeing him in vain. But in his Spirit, he can be everywhere, and enjoyed of all, at once. It is expedient for us, therefore, that he went away: and as Joseph's going from the prison to the palace was not only his own advancement, but the salvation of his father's house; so Jesus is gone into heaven, not only to be crowned with glory and honour, but to execute the remainder of his mediatorial work, on behalf of the redeemed. "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son; much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.' But did he not say, when he expired, It is finished?" He did-and it was finished-and nothing could be added to it. But what was finished? The procuring of salvation only-not the application of it. The former was done upon the cross: the latter is done upon the throne. What he suffered to acquire, he is exalted to bestow. He is exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour; to give repentance unto Israel, and forgiveness of sins. Even in his priestly character it behoved him not only to suffer, but to enter into his glory. The Apostle therefore says, If he were on earth, he could not be a priest; because he could then only have fulfilled one part of the office. For the high priest not only offered the sacrifice, but entered the holy place and sprinkled the blood upon the mercy-seat-and burned incense-and made intercession for the people. Jesus, therefore, after dying for us, entered into heaven itself, there to appear in the presence of God for us. By his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us-"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." OCTOBER 6. "I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were."-Psalm xxxix. 12. So life was viewed and felt by David. He was very superior to many of his ancestors. He had wealth, and power, and honour, and reigned the greatest monarch of the East. But no condition can make the heir of immortality a citizen here. Others are strangers and sojourners, as to the transitoriness of their continuance in this world, and the certainty of their removal from it; but not as to their disposition. They mind earthly things: and would be glad to live here always. But the child of God is, in principle, what he is in fact; and in experience, what he is in destination. He is also born from above, and bound for glory. And though he is detained here in a foreign land for awhile, for the discharge and the management of certain duties Here he fought, and overcome. But the and interests, yet he thinks, even while thus Conqueror must have his triumph. He must engaged, of leaving it, in due time, for his display his spoils, and enrich the multitude. own country-where his best relations reside He therefore ascended on high, leading cap--where lies his inheritance-and where he tivity captive, and received gifts for men, is to dwell for ever. even for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them. "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." He was a prophet, by his own preaching. But how local, how confined, and successless was his personal ministry! The work was to be done by another ministry. Corporeal ly, he was to withdraw; "But," said he, "the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." "I have yet many things to say unto you; but ye cannot bear them now. "There is my house, my portion fair; For me my elder brethren stay, And Jesus bids me come." Am I a stranger and a sojourner with God? Let me realize, let me exemplify, the condition. Let me look for the treatment such characters commonly meet with. Like widows and orphans, they are often imposed upon, and wronged, and injured. They are turned into ridicule and reproach, because of their speech, their dress, their manner, their usages. And Christians are a peculiar peoThe Saple. They are men wondered at. viour tells them not to marvel if the world hates them; for they are not of the world even as he is not of the world. This treat |